The Palestinian militant group is seeking “clear guarantees” that a new US-backed ceasefire deal would ultimately lead to the end of the .
The latest deal, which proposes the return of ten living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 more in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails during a 60-day ceasefire, has allegedly been accepted by , according to US President .
“We are approaching the matter with great responsibility,” Hamas said on its Telegram channel on Wednesday.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who sits on the government’s security cabinet, told Israeli news outlet Ynet that there was “definitely readiness to advance a deal.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said most of his government colleagues back a Gaza agreement that includes the release of hostages. “If the opportunity arises, we must not miss it!” he wrote on social media.
Two Israeli officials told the Reuters news agency however that details were still being ironed out.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister reiterated his stance that there can be no end to the war while Hamas remain in control of the Gaza Strip.
“I am telling you: there will be no more Hamas, there will be no more Hamastan, we are not going back to that, it’s over,” he said in a speech in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Wednesday in remarks quoted by his office.
“We will free all of our hostages,” Netanyahu added. “We will eliminate Hamas down to its very foundations.”
The post Middle East: Hamas seeks ceasefire guarantees appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
